Pancreatitis is a severe illness that has been associated with the hypnotic agent propofol. Recent literature implies that propofol is a causative agent in the development of pancreatitis however; there have been several studies that cannot statistically support this belief. The intent of this experimental study is to determine a causative relationship between a commonly used anesthetic agent, propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) and a severe illness, pancreatitis.;Propofol is a lipid based sedative agent used both in the operating room (OR) and in the intensive care unit (ICU) to produce amnesia and decreased movement in patients. Pancreatitis is a severe illness that can have many etiologies. It is usually diagnosed through blood tests that indicate increased levels of triglycerides, lipids and certain enzyme levels such as amylase and lipase. In previous studies there have been questionable links to the administration of propofol and the development of pancreatitis in patients.;This prospective, randomized study attempts to determine a relationship between the administration of propofol and pancreatitis by exposing rat pancreatic cells (Wistar rat AR42J pancreatic tumor cells) to the clinically used, lipid-emulsion form of propofol. The AR42J cells were exposed to commonly used 'induction' doses of propofol utilized in an OR setting. The results were obtained by measuring amylase levels, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, and overall protein levels found in the media and tissue supernatant of rat pancreatic cells (AR42J cells) after exposure to full and half induction doses of propofol. Results showed a clear difference in the amount of LDH secreted in the collected media of the exposed rat pancreatic cells in comparison to the control group; however these results were not accurately reproducible. The results of the tissue supernatant measured from the cells showed no significant difference in amylase secretion nor total protein concentration between the control group as would be expected.;Conclusion. There is no definitive link between propofol and pancreatitis according to our laboratory results as measured by amylase, LDH and total protein concentration. Upon review of the literature an association between propofol and pancreatitis has been inferred. Further research may indicate a more close association between propofol and pancreatitis.;Key Words: Propofol, pancreatitis, rat pancreatic cells, anesthesia, sedative, amnesic
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